New engine running-in?

[Transporter]

This subject tends to pop up at some stage in most threads for specific cars within this forum, although more when the model is new rather than ongoing, so if you were a keen searcher you could find them. To me there is a simple rule - don't baby it, don't overdrive it and just make sure you use most of the rev range regularly during the first 1,000 klm. Works for me.

Brad is just a bit sarcastic Every model section has a new car running in thread.

[Brian916]

I've been known to drop the synth out of engines, refill with dino, and after the run in period, switch to synth. I had a Honda Blackbird I bought with 3000km on it, and it had been run in the way I do it and motoman suggetst. But I put dino in it for 1000km anyway to complete the runin. Synth is just soooooo damn good it it's rediculous. One article in a magazine several years ago by a GP engine builder, the guy said that after testing rebuilt engines using synth, they found that after the normal run in period (a couple of hours on an engine dyno), the engine was NOT run it much at all. Some of the machining marks they wanted to get red of for racing were still present. So, under VERY carefully controlled conditions, they began to do the run in with dino, then the best synth for racing.

Oh, in case somebody needs to ask : Dino = dinosaur = out of the ground, refined, additive package.

You used to be able to buy 'running in' oil that was a premium base stock oil with no additive package at all to run for the first 500 - 1000km for just that reason - It was considered that the additives made the running in longer.

As an aside, a mechanic freind believes that a gently run modern motorcyle engine could take up to 10,000km to completely run in on synth - he has some very gentle riders for customers, who don't believe you should run over 4000rpm....... Why would they put the red ling at 14,000 if they didn't want you to go there? Huh?

[Souljak]

This topic pops up on almost all car forums at some stage in another. My 2 cents though.

Just drive normal first 1000 km's, then after that post first service give her some stick ... I dont know why it would be any harder than that.
Some car enthusiasts take this topic to such an enth degree its borderline OCD, taking into consideration I would want to keep my car in tip top shape too. Just no need to get too paranoid about it.

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Ignore all the conjecture being thrown around this thread.

You *need* to give your car properly timed full throttle high-rpm bursts as part of the run in to ensure the piston rings seal properly.

This is the bible you should use: Break In Secrets--How To Break In New Motorcycle and Car Engines For More Power

[noone]

I don't see how people are comparing methods... Someone does it one way, the car works well, so that must have been the right way? You could likely do close to the opposite in an identical car, I wonder who could pick the difference?

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I'd bet if you did a compression test on two motors after 100k, one properly run-in, one not, that you'd see a measurable amount of compression loss in the poorly run in motor.

[stucam]

Hi dubbas. I searched for an appropriate place for this, however: I live in metro melb and am looking for a great drive to run a new GTI in. I don't want to go hours into the country but I would be interested in a challenging and useful drive route if anyone cares to share one. Sorry if this is a stupid newbie question. S

[markwid]

Hi dubbas. I searched for an appropriate place for this, however: I live in metro melb and am looking for a great drive to run a new GTI in. I don't want to go hours into the country but I would be interested in a challenging and useful drive route if anyone cares to share one. Sorry if this is a stupid newbie question. S

Same here. I am also looking for suggestions for run-in drives for Sydney North Shore.

[Hail22]

Same here. I am also looking for suggestions for run-in drives for Sydney North Shore.

Easy, late night cruise through Northern Beaches to Bowlgalah, then head back up to your area via Roseville.

[markwid]

Easy, late night cruise through Northern Beaches to Bowlgalah, then head back up to your area via Roseville.

Thanks. I am not so sure about the late night cruise - for a spirited drive, I would want to avoid the cops on night patrol. Prefer a day drive.

Also probably need a longer drive than Balgowlah. What would you suggest a bit further, northwards?

[kaanage]

Melbourne, Eastern side.
Try this route

Or you could do 40 repeats of the Kew Boulevard..

[alias_vw]

Thanks. I am not so sure about the late night cruise - for a spirited drive, I would want to avoid the cops on night patrol. Prefer a day drive.

Also probably need a longer drive than Balgowlah. What would you suggest a bit further, northwards?

Maybe up into the Kuringai Chase National Park?

Head to Mona Vale, up Mona Vale Rd to Terrey Hills, along McCarrs Creek Rd onto Liberator General San Martin Dve, around past Illawong and Akuna Bays then onto West Head Rd, up to the end and back then onto McCarrs Creek Rd again for a drive past Church Point and Bayview then back home? You'd still need to watch out for the police (assuming you were foolish enough to speed!) but it's a nice drive....did it last weekend myself.

Bear in mind that VW apparently do a run-in of the engine at the factory and you'd need to change your oil from synthetic to a dino to get any real value...

[markwid]

Thanks. That looks like a better drive. Will do that.

Just want to give it a bit of load and varying rpms initially. I subscribe to drive it hard when new (of course after warm up). None of this babying it and keeping low rpms.

[stucam]

Melbourne, Eastern side.
Try this route

Or you could do 40 repeats of the Kew Boulevard..

Love the Boulevard, but 40 trips might be a stretch . Thanks for the route. Looks promising. Is this a trip you have taken kaanage? Cheers, S.

[Hoofee]

What dino oil would you recommend?

I'll be getting a 77tsi polo in April so I'm looking to do things right. Only get one chance to run it in properly.